Too much gear, not enough pics in the forum lately.
I took a chance on getting an 85/1.4 a while back and only just had the chance to really put it to work at a wedding. I had previously owned the 85/1.8, so I wasn't entirely convinced when I took a chance by buying one, but I'm starting to understand now!
So, here's a few portraits of the ladies getting ready before the last wedding (ie, the only part of the day that didn't appear to be taking place in a cave!). I had nice natural light so I could mostly just spot meter on their faces and let the background blow away into a wash of light. Or at least try to do that.. I still have a lot to learn I think. Most shot between f1.4 and 2.0 on a D300.
What do you think? Is there anything obvious that I can do better for next time? I'm always keen to hear feedback on things like this. It's hard to see mistakes (or things you've done well!) when you've been editing pictures of the same people for hours on end.
#2 gives me a little too much skin texture due to the side lighting. A tiny bit of softening would flatter her more.
#3 exaggerates her nose due to the face being pointed down, which I think is also not ideal for her.
#5 looks droopy or sad... not an emotion I'd like to portray at a wedding.
#6 is a great image, although again I'd tone down the texture on the skin a little. Since most of the flowers are blurry, I'd also blur the bottom of the flowers a little; the crisply-focused bottom of the stems is distracting.
Congrats on taking the plunge on the 85/1.4! Shot #1 is textbook perfect usage of that shallow focus, dreamy look! I look forward to seeing more of your shots with the cream machine.
